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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance
10.29.2910.29.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.29.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.29.28inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रेष्ठं प्रियेतरमिव प्रतिभाषमाणं

कृष्णं तदर्थविनिवर्तितसर्वकामा: ।

नेत्रे विमृज्य रुदितोपहते स्म किञ्चित्-

संरम्भगद्गदगिरोऽब्रुवतानुरक्ता: ॥ ३० ॥

preṣṭhaṁ priyetaram iva pratibhāṣamāṇaṁ

kṛṣṇaṁ tad-artha-vinivartita-sarva-kāmāḥ

netre vimṛjya ruditopahate sma kiñcit

saṁrambha-gadgada-giro ’bruvatānuraktāḥ

Translation

Although Kṛṣṇa was their beloved, and although they had abandoned all other objects of desire for His sake, He had been speaking to them unfavorably. Nonetheless, they remained unflinching in their attachment to Him. Stopping their crying, they wiped their eyes and began to speak, their voices stammering with agitation.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Love That Will Not Give Up

  1. 1

    The gopīs had abandoned all other objects of desire for Kṛṣṇa’s sake. Even His unfavorable words did not shake their attachment to Him.

  2. 2

    Their voices choked with anger born of intense love. They were unwilling to give Him up or allow Him to reject them.

  3. 3

    They stopped crying, wiped their eyes and began to speak. Their agitation did not end their loving attachment.

Key points from the purport
  • The gopīs now replied to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, their voices choking up with anger caused by their intense love for Him and their unwillingness to give Him up.
  • They would not allow Him to reject them.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Separation → Transcendental intimacy. The peak of longing reveals the intensity of selfless love.

Chapters 29–33 of Canto 10: The gopīs' yearning, reunion and rasa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The gopīs were crestfallen to hear this, and after crying a little they replied, with a bit of anger, “It is very unfair for You to reject young girls who have abandoned everything in their lives and come to You with the exclusive desire to serve You. By serving our husbands and children we receive only pain, whereas by serving You, the dearmost Soul of all living beings, we will perfectly fulfill the true religious duty of the self.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. preṣṭhamtheir beloved
  2. priya-itaramjust the opposite of a beloved
  3. ivaas if
  4. pratibhāṣamāṇamaddressing them
  5. kṛṣṇamLord Kṛṣṇa
  6. tat-arthafor His sake
  7. vinivartitadesisted from
  8. sarvaall
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “crying”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “attachment”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “love”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What can I learn from the gopīs’ unwillingness to give up their attachment to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to express your wish to remain attached to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLove That Will Not Give UpThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.29.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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